The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have presented many companies with difficult challenges—ranging from compliance with necessary safety regulations to organizing short-time work due to lack of demand and massive underutilization of capacity. In this situation, the social partners have often found pragmatic solutions. We would like to express our sincere gratitude for this. We will also overcome the challenges ahead together.
These challenges also include developments in the apprenticeship market. On the one hand, companies are forced to adjust the number of their apprenticeship positions; on the other hand, however, there is also a noticeable reluctance among applicants. The lack of transitional programs at schools due to the pandemic and the cancellation of in-person events such as apprenticeship fairs and career fairs play a significant role in this.
The shortage of skilled workers that existed before the COVID-19 crisis will remain an obstacle to growth in the industry for many years to come. The apprentices from the class of 2020 are the skilled workers who will be in high demand in 2023. The collective bargaining parties are therefore urging companies to fill any apprenticeship positions that remain unfilled, where possible, and to reach out to young people more actively through social media or digital platforms. Every effort must be made to ensure the highest possible level of apprenticeship training in 2021 as well.
In addition, the federal government has created financial incentives through the “Protective Shield for Apprenticeships” to support companies in continuing to offer apprenticeships or doing so for the first time.
IG Metall and Gesamtmetall are also calling on young people and their parents to choose a dual apprenticeship. The metal and electrical industries, through their companies, offer highly qualified and challenging training in occupational fields that will be in high demand for many years to come.
The parties to the collective bargaining agreement agree that dual vocational training is an internationally recognized strength of the German economy. It ensures the training of highly qualified skilled workers and thus the innovative capacity of companies. The M+E industry thereby secures a clear competitive advantage in the global marketplace. The dual system ensures high employability. The low youth unemployment rate in Germany—which is low by international standards—is therefore also a success of the dual system.
We urge companies to continue investing in dual vocational training and ask parents and teachers to support young people in their search for an apprenticeship. It is also about getting off to a dynamic and strong start after the crisis in order to shape the upcoming structural change. Furthermore, we encourage the promotion of the appeal of dual vocational training through a variety of initiatives in general education schools.
